agnus castus

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Vitex For Fertility ( By Brandy B. Wid )

Hello ladies, I have some exciting news to tell you about today! The herb Vitex is finally getting the recognition it so graciously deserves. Vitex has long been used by herbalist and natural healers as a powerful natural fertility herb and hormonal regulator. Hormonal imbalances have the potential to cause a wide array of problems in a woman's body including, but not limited to, infertility, PMS, menstrual issues, painful cysts, fertility issues, and fibroids. Vitex has proven itself time and time again as an effective option for stabilizing your hormones therefore, improving these issues. Let me explain in detail how the herb works with your body. Vitex and Fertility First of all let's talk about how Vitex works with fertility. All too often infertility may be caused by a simple imbalance, or lack of a specific hormone, which could have a negative effect on ovulation. Believe it or not, these changes go on inside your body all the time, it is when you have a constant disturbance, or complete lack of regulation, that you run into trouble. Sometimes these problems can not be avoided, and it is nothing that you have done wrong. With all the stress and external toxins we are exposed to on a daily bases our bodies can simply jump off course. Vitex helps by nourishing the endocrine system which in turn promotes healthy ovulation and hormonal balance. The great news is you don't have to take my word for it! Because there has been study, after study, after study, that supports the effects of Vitex on your reproductive system! Many of these studies have concentrated on different aspects of fertility, such as one specifically pointed out that Vitex increases the progesterone level while increasing the luteal phase. Where as another...actually two pointed out the over all effects of Vitex on fertility as a whole, this study showed that Vitex does in fact make a woman more fertile, and greatly increases her chances of conception!! Vitex for PMS With all this talk of hormonal regulation it only makes sense that Vitex also works as a traditional remedy for PMS. Hormones are powerful, they can make us feel depressed, bloated, achy, and of course with all of this we would naturally be irritable! Well, 77% of women reported an improvement in PMS symptoms while taking Vitex. Also, herbalists everywhere have been shouting from the roof tops that Vitex is more effective against hot flashes than the more popular black cohosh. However, it is important to keep in mind that Vitex is not a quick fix cure or a fertility drug. Results listed are based on 10-15 drops of the extract taken 2-3 times daily or 600mg all month long (stop taking Vitex while you are menstruating). Results may be seen in as little as 2-3 cycles however, maximum benefits are achieved after only 6-12 cycles. Also, if you are on any type of hormone therapy you need to first discuss the decision to take Vitex with your doctor.

There are many fertility herbs that are helpful for fertility and reproductive health. To buy Vitex or learn more about natural fertility therapies visit http://www.natural-fertility-info.com/

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brandy_B._Widner

By Brandy B. Wid

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1934263

Different Kinds of Natural Menopause Remedy ( By Jim F Roberts )

    Menopause is a stage in women's life where they experience so many changes both physically and emotionally. Since there are hormonal changes during this stage, it can be very difficult for some women. Women who are undergoing the menopausal stage will undergo several physical changes or reactions like hot flashes, reduced vitality, and night sweats. Without proper remedies, these changes can make women uncomfortable all throughout the stage. Today, those women who are undergoing the menopausal stage can now have the proper menopause remedy that will help them relieve or cope with the physical changes that they are going through.

    There are many natural and safe remedies for menopause. There are herbal medicines and teas that women can take to help them during the stage. One of these is the Agnus Castus or Chaste tree. Agnus Castus is available in tablet form and can help in regulating the hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones tend to become low during the stage so the herbal tablets can help women increase their hormonal levels and regulate the menstrual cycle.

    Another menopause remedy is the Black Cohosh which is sometimes called Black Snakeroot or Squawroot. This is another herbal medicine that assists in the production of estrogen and helps in treating or relieving hot flashes. Black Cohosh also affects the menstrual flow of women to help them during the menopausal stage. This can be taken in tablet or tea form depending on the availability and preference.
Helonias can help in increasing estrogen and progesterone levels and at same time helps the uterus and ovaries. The women's reproductive system is changed during menopause and Helonias can greatly help the system in adjusting during the stage. Helonias is also used in treating different problems that affect the body like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and infections in uterus. Helonias is available in tablet form but there are also other variations so that women can choose according to their preference.

    Another remedy for hormonal changes is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort is used to relieve painful effects of the menopause both physical and emotional. Depression and decreased vitality that are caused by the stage can also be relieved using this remedy.Sage can also help in relieving hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. This herb has thujone substance that helps in regulating menstruation and aids the adaption of the body to the hormonal changes. Sage can be taken in tea form.

    The last natural remedy for menopause is the White Peony that relieves hot flashes and night sweats. This herb helps in reducing the body temperature and relieves uncomfortable and unnecessary high temperatures during menopause. The root of White Peony is used to create tea that women can drink every day.
There are a lot of natural and safe menopause remedy that are available for women to use. These remedies are used to relieve different uncomfortable changes in the body to help women overcome the stage and easily adapt to the changes.

Jim F. Roberts has been expertly writing articles for 5 years on a variety of topics of interest. He also found a great resource on menopause remedy that can also help ease menopause experienced by your sister, mom, grandma or your loved one.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_F_Roberts

By Jim F Roberts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5104231

Medical Benefits of Agnus Castus ( By Teisha Mahabir )

Author : Teisha Mahabir

Vitex agnus-castus, commonly known as the Chaste Berry or Monk's Pepper, is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is also be found in multiple tropical and sub-tropical regions. The plant bears blue flowers that have a strong aroma. The seeds of the plant have a pepper like quality and can be used as a mild spice. The true benefit of the plant lies in the herbal medicine that is derived from it. It can be used to cure or alleviate a wide range of gynecological problems. It can also help alleviate health disorders associated with age.

Medical benefits

Traditionally believed to be an anaphrodisiac, it was used by monks and nuns to curb sexual desires and urges. The seeds of the plant have been used for over 2500 years to cure various menstrual problems in women. In the modern world, clinical studies have proved its effectiveness in reducing premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS), pre menopausal symptoms and cyclic breast pain (Mastalgia). Agnus castus reduces and relieves symptoms like depression, headache, breast tenderness, fatigue and bloating in women who take it on a regular basis.

Although agnus castus doesn't contain hormonal supplements, it is known to indirectly regulate hormones. High quantities of free testosterone in the body can cause hirsuitism which is an excess of body and facial hair in women. Agnus castus has an anti androgenic effect which reduces the free testosterone count thus reducing hirsutism.

Agnus castus is also known to have post childbirth benefits. It can be used as a health supplement to increase breast milk production in women. In a recently conducted study, women who were given agnus castus for 10 days after childbirth showed increased milk flow as opposed to the women who did not take it.
Cyclic breast pain or mastalgia is a common menstrual symptom. Using agnus castus is known to relieve cyclic pains and soothe the nerves. However, it must be noted that agnus castus doesn't seem to work that well at relieving pain in women who have used it for several cycles.

Agnus castus is primarily used for reducing the effects of pre menstrual syndrome or PMS. The effects include reduced irritability and headaches, depression and dysphoria relief and reduced breast tenderness. As in most cases you should consult your physician before taking it, especially in case you are birth control pills or hormone supplements. Agnus castus is known to interfere with their effective functioning.
The herb is also used to as a treatment for infertility and mild corpus luteum inefficiency and defects. Other benefits include correction of irregular menstrual cycles and treatment of post menopausal symptoms in women.

Side effects

Although agnus castus or Vitex (as it is medically known) has its sets of physical benefits, a physician must be consulted before you decide to use it. The herb is known to affect various normal physiological functions of the body. Side effects include a drop in libido, hormonal dysfunction, mild skin reactions, nausea, and transitory headaches. If taken during pregnancy, it may lead to complications.

Agnus castus is a wonder herb when it comes to treating menstrual and gynecological problems in women. It has been used for a very long time to alleviate various other problems related to fertility and hormones. Although it is a herbal remedy, you must take care while administering dosage and definitely consult a physician before you decide to use it.

Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak.

Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about health-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Inside Toronto.

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By Teisha Mahabir

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6077353

Agnus Castus: Managing Your Health Naturally ( By Florence Foo )

    Are you sensitive to medicine just like me? Do you have adverse reactions to prescription drugs? Maybe you are troubled by problems like this. Don't worry, in this article I will give you a guide to using a herb, the agnus castus, to help you manage your health in a natural way.

    First of all, let's get to know some general situations about agnus castus. It is actually a small deciduous tree with a usual height of about 25 feet. Summer is the fantastic season when the blossoms are flourishingly blooming. The shape of the flower is like a spike about 8 inches long. At the bottom of the small blooms grows some round, reddish fruit which will change the color to black when it ripens. The smell and taste of the blossoms is just like black pepper. The leaves of it are of the shape of palmate. They are deep green on the top side and gray on underside.

    Now many people are not quite fit to taking chemical medicine or drugs because of the bad reactions after taking them. And usually taking drugs will also make them feel sleepy easily. This situation needs people to look for some natural herbs to cure diseases for them. Then agnus castus was then found. All the leaves, the stems and the flowers of this plant can be used to cure many kinds of illnesses. It is not in demand of a severe growing environment. We can grow it almost everywhere, for example in your garden or yard. Agnus castus is effective in doing with illnesses, however, it can't cure all. There are some common illnesses that it is used for and the typical one is menstrual cycle. It can solve many female menstrual problems, such as infertility, heavy menstruation and even breast pains. Some other common diseases include colic, cholera, skin diseases and so on.

     People usually take a complex process of boiling or extracting the substances of this plant to consume the leaves and flowers. Then, expertly and professionally, make them into capsules to sell. Now it's quite convenient to buy them over the Internet and they are not expensive at all. This makes the agnus castus drugs popular nowadays. So if you want to cure your diseases in a natural way next time, remember to choose the agnus castus herb. By the way, it has none harm side effects.

For more information on the Agnus Castus, you can check the information available online, and these will help a lot about Agnus Castus.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Florence_Foo

By Florence Foo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6088162

Agnus Castus is Often Great For Menopause Symptoms ( By Max Hill )

Author : Max Hill

    Agnus castus is one of the most popular herbs for menopause symptoms. The reason for this is simple: agnus castus eases menopause symptoms for many women. The symptoms it can help with include hot flashes (flushes), night sweats, and irregular or painful periods.Agnus castus is thought to act by affecting the pituitary gland.The pituitary gland is one of the master glands of the body, situated below the brain. As this gland is affected by agnus castus it, in turn, affects the other glands of the body including the ovaries.
The interplay between the hormones is the main determinant of how well the body deals with menopause symptoms. If each hormone is present in the right amount then menopause symptoms will generally be few. If, however, one or other hormone is out of balance them unpleasant symptoms are more likely to occur.
The way agnus castus is thought to help the pituitary gland is by balancing out its hormone production such that the output of important hormones is neither too great not too small. This can create a hormone balance in the rest of the body, helping to minimise menopause symptoms.

    Certainly, other factors will affect symptoms of menopause. For example, body weaknesses such as tiredness, constipation, frequent infections or digestive problems. Any of these can influence how the body works in general including the hormone balance of the body.Similarly, menopause symptoms will be affected by lifestyle habits including diet, stress levels and the amount of exercise taken.

    No one woman will react exactly the same as another in menopause. A combination of the above factors, plus her genes, will determine how well a woman deals with possible symptoms. This is why it is helpful to have an alternative practitioner who can take an objective view of what is causing menopause symptoms in a particular case.For the majority of women - where there are no serious medical problems or other major complications - agnus castus combined with necessary lifestyle changes will prove a helpful combination to reduce or even eliminate symptoms. Sometimes the benefits can be staggering; sometimes just moderate, but still helpful.

    Of course, some women will find it difficult to make a lifestyle changes which might be desirable. In this case, agnus castus on its own might still be beneficial, but the chances of this helping is less. All you can do is try it, and see what happens for you.In general, a holistic treatment including agnus castus will consist of the following.

1. AGNUS CASTUS: if using just the untreated herb, (i.e. not an extract) take 2 to 3 capsules, or 35-40 drops of a fluid extract, before breakfast each day. (If using an extract, follow the label instructions. For guidance: a "fluid extract" is where 1 kilo of herb makes 1 litres of the fluid extract. A tincture, on the other hand, might be 4 to 1, often written "4:1"; so you'd need 4 times as much. The label will tell you the strength of a tincture)

2. DIET: use a diet high in non-starchy vegetables, as much raw as possible; some fruit - not too much; plenty of oily fish (minimal smoked fish); some lean meat; little or no fatty or preserved meats (bacon, salami); low starch, and very low sugar. Minimize food cooked at high temperatures, ie grilling frying or roasting.

3. LIFESTYLE:

Reduce stress to a minimum. This can be more easily said than done. But if indeed you are affected by stress, then this is most important to your hormones. High stress levels will certainly affect hormone production. If you have had stress for very long such that you now feel exhausted often, you will need practitioner support. Particularly, have your adrenal hormones checked.
Weight. If overweight, reduce it towards normal. Again, often more easily said than done. However, obesity and excess weight indicates a poorly functioning body in general. Your overall health as well as your hormone balance will benefit from reducing your weight towards normal. The most effective approach is through a dramatic reduction in starchy food while following the healthy diet recommendations above.

These extra factors will help to give agnus castus the best chance of working for you to reduce menopause symptoms.The more you can improve your diet and lifestyle the more likely it is that agnus castus will help your menopause symptoms.

If you come simply cannot commit to any dietary or lifestyle changes right now, then try agnus castus anyway. It is such a fantastic herb, it might be enough.

You can quickly learn more about menopause herbs and how they can help women like you. Agnus castus in particular has helped thousands of menopausal women. Here is a great source of quality Agnus Castus for you, where you also get unlimited free support from kind and knowledgeable people.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Max_Hill

By Max Hill

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1415349

Vitex Agnus Castus Might Help You Fall Pregnant (By Tracey Edwards )

Author : Tracey Edwards

       Vitex agnus-castus, also called chaste berry, is becoming more and more popular with women trying to fall pregnant. But what does it actually do and will it really help?The key to falling pregnant is having regular menstrual cycles and ovulation. Of course general health and well being also play a part, but for those women whose fertility is due to hormonal imbalances that cause irregular menstrual cycles or ovulation then Vitex has been used for centuries to help correct these problems.

    The most common hormonal problem with women is insufficient progesterone during the luteal phase. The luteal phase is the time between ovulation and your period and should be around 14 days long. If your luteal phase is less than 10 days (called a luteal phase defect) then the egg, even if it does get fertilized, doesn't have time to embed into the uterus and is expelled with your period.Vitex acts by balancing the hormones thus shifting the ratio of estrogen to progesterone. It doesn't actually produce progesterone itself, just helps your body increase its ability to produce more. It is also helpful for reducing high prolactin levels which are also commonly associated with a luteal phase defect.

    It has been shown to be especially beneficial for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as they often have hormonal irregularities that mean that estrogen, which is dominant in the first half of a women's cycle, continues to dominate in the second half thus not producing enough progesterone to sustain a potential pregnancy.It is safe to take Vitex throughout your whole cycle until you fall pregnant but many women choose to take it either in the first half or second half of their cycle thinking that this will be more beneficial. However this doesn't allow enough time for the herb to build up in your body and many women give up too soon thinking that the herb is not working for them.

It usually takes at least 3 - 6 months for Vitex or Chaste berry to begin working so if you have just started taking it, continue for at least six months to make sure you get the full benefit.
Vitex can be taken in capsule, tea or tincture form, so talk to your naturopath about which is best for you.

Read Tracey's own diary of trying to fall pregnant at http://www.fertility-challenged.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tracey_Edwards

By Tracey Edwards

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/816963

Agnus Castus ( By Florence Foo )

If you are looking for the information and news about agnus castus, please read this article. Here I would like to describe and introduce it in several aspects, such as description, distribution, uses and characteristics. After reading the details in these aspects you shall get a whole picture of agnus castus.
Description

The agnus castus, also called the chaste tree, is a kind of trees which are beautiful and have fantastic summertime flowers. The outside of the plant is easy to be recognized. Usually it has leaves which measure 3-4 centimeters long and the foliage is often fragrant. Typically the color of the side above differs from that on the underside. The former is grey green to dark green and the latter is much lighter. The chaste tree will bloom in late spring and continue blooming until early autumn. The beautiful flower clusters are also aromatic and they attract a lot of bees and butterflies to pay a visit.

Distribution

The chaste tree is widely located all over the world. It is said that it has been originally cultivated in Africa and then spread to other continents. Today the chaste tree is well grown in some warm and dry regions of southern Europe and parts of western Asia. Because of its numerous good features, the agnus castus is also widely planted as a garden favorite wherever it is fit to grow.

Uses

Maybe you are not quite well-known with the usages of this plant, actually most parts of it can be used. As an admirable plant, it can be used as a good decoration of a lawn or it can be kept in large containers as a centerpiece. If it is kept pruned to a shrub size, it can make a colorful addition to the surroundings. Environments will become comfortable and charming with the decorations of chaste tree. By the way, the leaves and seeds are both useful. We can use leaves as medicine and the seeds can be used for seasoning.

Characteristics

The plant of agnus castus is resistant to droughts and very easy to grow. In winter, the beauty of your yard or garden will look great if you cultivate some agnus catus there. Your place can also be made fragrant with the affections of the flower clusters of it. The leaves are large and the foliage is green, this plant will also add colors to your everyday life.